Energy dept directs Odisha police to take action against protesting TPCODL engineers

The Odisha Energy Department has called for legal action against engineers protesting under the TPCODL banner, highlighting a breach of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) 1988.

Vishal Dev, the Principal Secretary of the Odisha Energy Department, has reportedly instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) to enforce strict measures against those disregarding ESMA provisions.

Engineers recently congregated outside the primary office of TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), expressing their dissent over routine transfer notifications. This gathering necessitated police intervention and led to TPCODL taking disciplinary measures, including filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against four association leaders and seven other engineers. 

Despite Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister KV Singh Deo mediating with amendments to the original transfer orders, protestors have intensified their demands, seeking the withdrawal of charges against the 11 involved individuals from February 11.

In correspondence with the DGP, the Principal Secretary warned that ‘the persistent assembly occurs despite the enactment of ESMA from 21st October of last year till 20 April, potentially jeopardising the fiscal health and operations of distribution companies, thus impacting consumer service across the state’.

Highlighting the vital importance of uninterrupted operations within the energy sector, the department urged the DGP to instruct local authorities to enforce ESMA stringently at all power utilities and implement necessary actions against any individuals or groups violating the act.